About the role
The Society of Critical Care Technologists define the role as:
“A specially trained Health Care Scientist, with expert knowledge of the physiology
and technology involved in delivery of critical care to patients as part of a multidisciplinary team.”
A critical care scientist has expert knowledge of the physiology and technology involved in the delivery of critical care to patients. Some seriously ill patients depend on a variety of technology to keep them alive and to enable them to be constantly monitored. Critical care scientists are responsible for equipment such as:
- electrocardiograms (ECGs), which monitor heart rhythm
- ventilators, which help patients to breathe
- infusion devices, which administer drugs and other fluids.
Critical Care Technologists may:
- monitor, maintain and repair the equipment
- use diagnostic techniques to help the medical team to assess the condition of patients
- be on call to respond to changes in a patient’s needs or an equipment breakdown
- train doctors and nurses in how to use the technology
- research and buy new items for their unit
- keep records of their work.
Critical Care Technologists generally work in A&E Departments in larger hospitals – with 200-300 currently working in the NHS at the moment. Some work in private hospitals.
Salaries for Critical Care Technologists start at around £17,700 a year and go up to £65,657 for heads of department. Those on the highest grade may earn up to £95,333 a year.
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